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Cuicuilco
19.3017° N, -99.1817° E
About
Cuicuilco is an important archaeological site located on the southern shore of Lake Texcoco in the southeastern Valley of Mexico, in what is today the borough of Tlalpan in Mexico City. Construction of the Cuicuilco pyramid began a few centuries BCE, during the Late Preclassic period of Mesoamerican history. The site was occupied until its destruction by the eruption of Xitle, sometime between 245 and 315 CE. Based on its date of occupation, Cuicuilco may be the oldest city in the Valley of Mexico and was roughly contemporary with, and possibly interacting with, the Olmecs of Mexico's Gulf Coast region (also known as the Olmec heartland).
Historical Timeline
Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history
Earliest occupation
c. 1200 BCE
Urban regional centre and population peak
c. 150 BCE
Decline begins with Teotihuacan rise
1st century BCE
Reports of earlier volcanic activity
1st century BCE
Minor recovery
1–150 CE
Destruction by Xitle (range)
c. 245–315 CE
Alternative eruption timing cited
c. 400 CE
New ceramic tradition
c. 600–200 BCE
Main pyramidal basement construction
800–600 BCE
Conical structures built
1000–800 BCE
Archaeological Features
Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site
Defensive Structures
Miscellaneous Features
Water Management Features
Public and Civic Structures
Burial and Funerary Structures
Religious and Ritual Structures
Artistic and Decorative Features
Agricultural and Land Use Features
Domestic and Habitation Structures
Environmental and Natural Features
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan Your Visit
Tours, travel arrangements, and practical information
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